HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009

[James_Bond_007]

See Here...

ARRLWeb: ARRL NEWS: ARRL Seeks Member Support for HR 2160

[soncorn]

It would be nice if they provided more information about the proposed legislation than this:

"HR 2160 presents the Amateur Radio Service with a unique opportunity -- but also carries with it the important responsibility of making your voice heard," Henderson summarized. "HR 2160 stands as the first step in trying to address the long standing problem of extending the protections afforded Amateur Radio operators under PRB-1 to deed restrictions and covenants. To be clear, passing HR 2160 is not going to achieve that goal right away. But it will help lay the ground work by assessing the impact such restrictions have on our ability to train for and respond to disasters and other emergencies."

And quite honestly the fact that Sheila Jackson-Lee (She is a representative from TX in the Houston/Harris County area) is the sponsor of the legislation makes me by default NOT want to support it with the very limited information that is presented by the ARRL in this particular news release.

So I did some additional research. Here is what the ARRL says this legislation will do:

What H.R. 2160 Would Do

If enacted into law, H.R. 2160 - the Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 - would instruct the Secretary of Homeland Security to undertake a study, and report its findings to Congress within 180 days, on the uses and capabilities of Amateur
Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief.

The study shall:

* Include recommendations for enhancements in the voluntary deployment of Amateur Radio licensees in disaster and emergency communications and disaster relief efforts;
* Include recommendations for improved integration of Amateur Radio operators in planning and in furtherance of the Department of Homeland Security initiatives;
* Identify unreasonable or unnecessary impediments to enhanced Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations, and make recommendations regarding such impediments;
* Include an evaluation of section 207 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-104, 110 Stat. 56 (1996)); and
* Recommend whether section 207 should be modified to prevent unreasonable private land use restrictions that impair the ability of amateurs to conduct, or prepare to conduct, emergency communications by means of effective outdoor antennas and support structures at reasonable heights and dimensions for the purpose, in residential areas. The Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the expertise of the ARRL and shall seek information from private and public sectors for the study.

Personally I think we have more important legislation to worry about at this time than this.

[burner50]

Dont let them fool you.

The ARRL is simply a propaganda machine. That makes everything they do suspect.

Shelia Jackson-Lee is the sponsor? One more strike.


If I remember right (that article IS over 3 months old), There is also something in there about ARES "voluntary activations".


ARRL is hearing ChaChing! Federal money for their organization.
They're already so big they're nearly oppressive.

[DaveNF2G]

The Act will do nothing to "enhance" anything for amateur radio. It will enhance the revenue stream of some expensive consultant who will get the contract to do the study. The research might lead to additional legislation down the road.

Personally, I don't want this Congress or Administration to get their paws into ham radio and screw that up, too.

[poppafred]

Every time the government "enhances" something, the only actual "enhancement" is their total control of it.

I can just imagine the Homeland Security folks showing up at the front door saying there is a national emergency and they need to "borrow" my HF radio.

[APTN]

I would like to see pro Amateur Radio Legislation passed. However, I concur with the other posters' concerns and suspicions. This is being pushed when the current administration has taken over the banking industry, automotive industry, and has its sights on insurance. What's to ensure we aren't secretly being screwed behind our backs ?

[elk2370bruce]

gee whizz! Another study where some contractor (ARRL contyributor?) will make big bucks, tell us what we already know and NOTHING of concrete value will occur beyonhd filing it in theLibrary of Congress.The wackers will whine and the emcomm detractors will still "harumph"

[KS4VT]

Wirelessly posted (HTC-8500/1.2 Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 5.5; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320))

The talk on the street is that this might be a stepping stone to getting around the HOA/Condo antenna rules, but personally I doubt that overriding a private contact will be addressed by Congress.

I would like to see some national regulation that is a bit stronger than PRB-1 so land use regulations are consistent nationwide vs the piecemeal regulation that we have now.

[newsphotog]

I have a pretty darn good way to get around HOA rules. I'll let you in on the secret too.

Don't live in an HOA.

I know there are a few good HOA's but overall I hear nothing but complaints about them. Read the contracts. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy. When people stop signing the contracts, they will eventually go away. I don't see many benefits that outweigh the negatives in an HOA. So maybe they mow your lawn or shovel your sidewalk? Big whoop... find a neighborhood kid to do it for $10 a week. What's wrong with an old-fashioned neighborhood with houses that don't all look the same?

[KS4VT]

Originally Posted by newsphotog

I have a pretty darn good way to get around HOA rules. I'll let you in on the secret too.

Don't live in an HOA.

I know there are a few good HOA's but overall I hear nothing but complaints about them. Read the contracts. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy. When people stop signing the contracts, they will eventually go away. I don't see many benefits that outweigh the negatives in an HOA. So maybe they mow your lawn or shovel your sidewalk? Big whoop... find a neighborhood kid to do it for $10 a week. What's wrong with an old-fashioned neighborhood with houses that don't all look the same?

Yep I totally agree...there are plently of those old-fashioned neighborhoods still in existence that are pretty decent with pretty large lots. Just have to know how to find them and convince the "other-half", pending if there is one, that amateur radio is an important part of your life and that buying in a gated community isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

[W9RXR]

Originally Posted by newsphotog

I know there are a few good HOA's but overall I hear nothing but complaints about them. Read the contracts. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy. When people stop signing the contracts, they will eventually go away.

Don't bet on that. The number of people who want to live in HOA-managed areas outweighs the people who don't.

Having recently gone through the home-buying process, I found that my choices in central Indiana could be lumped into three categories: suburban homes in HOA communities, urban homes in neighborhoods that did not appeal to me, or rural homes that were lacking in utilities and services. I chose the suburban home with the HOA. I rationalized the antenna restrictions by telling myself that in over 15 years as an amateur radio operator, I never had the benefit of a home station with antennas on a tower, so I would just continue to live without an antenna farm.

By the way, I did find some homes in HOA communities that were somewhat antenna-friendly. Generally, what you will find are restrictions that prohibit antennas above the roofline of the house or mounted in front of the house. While those restrictions are not perfect, they are a step in the right direction.

Originally Posted by newsphotog

I don't see many benefits that outweigh the negatives in an HOA.

Like I said, the houses I found in non-HOA communities were not houses I would want to own. When there's nothing keeping your neighbor from painting his house bright purple or keeping him from parking a non-running vehicle on the street in front of his house for months, the value of every house in the neighborhood is diminished.

Originally Posted by newsphotog

So maybe they mow your lawn or shovel your sidewalk? Big whoop... find a neighborhood kid to do it for $10 a week.

My HOA does neither. However, my HOA does maintain the landscaping in the common areas, maintain the retention ponds, and maintain the swimming pool and playground. I realize every HOA is different, but that's really the essence of this problem. When hams talk of HOAs and CC&Rs, they immediately assume the worst. However, since they are private contracts between the association and the homeowner, every one of them is different. And, frankly, while I would like to see fewer antenna restrictions, my overriding concern is that I would prefer that the Federal Government stay out of private contracts.

As for the kid doing the mowing for $10 a week, the enterprising kids in my neighborhood wanted $30 to mow a third-of-an-acre lot. I have a professional landscaper who is bonded and insured doing it for $32.

[SOFA_KING]

Originally Posted by newsphotog

I have a pretty darn good way to get around HOA rules. I'll let you in on the secret too.

Don't live in an HOA.

I know there are a few good HOA's but overall I hear nothing but complaints about them. Read the contracts. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy. When people stop signing the contracts, they will eventually go away. I don't see many benefits that outweigh the negatives in an HOA. So maybe they mow your lawn or shovel your sidewalk? Big whoop... find a neighborhood kid to do it for $10 a week. What's wrong with an old-fashioned neighborhood with houses that don't all look the same?

My thoughts as well. When selecting a place to build my house, I stayed clear of that nightmare. I can do what I want. I learned my lesson with the Florida bule haired "condo comandos". Pay you high maintenance fees to give me nothing but a hard time? NO THANKS! Never again!

Phil

[newsphotog]

My comments were not directed to the average person who doesn't intend on erecting a tower. For those people, the benefits do sometimes outweigh the negatives of an HOA if you aren't planning to drastically modify your house -- or erect a tower. But for many radio hobbyists, they can't do it without a tower and so then the negatives of an HOA contract would outweigh the benefits. Basically what I was saying is that if you sign an HOA contract and then later on cry foul when they tell you that you can't put up antennas, I'm going to say that I told you so.

My mother who might now be classified as a little old lady moved to an HOA so that she wouldn't have to mow the lawn, shovel/plow the snow, or maintain the house herself. In this case, yes, the benefits would certainly outweigh the negatives especially since she's not a radio hobbyist planning to put up antennas.

Myself personally, I do not plan on erecting a tower, but I wouldn't buy into an HOA regardless. I don't think me or the SYL would want a tower on our property. I like having an installation that's stealthier anyways. I have three family members (non-radio hobbyists) that are now part of three different HOA's, and only one is having good luck with their HOA.

I seriously doubt HR 2160 or the resulting study will change anything for amateur radio. Sure, it might be worth a try, but I either don't see anything happening or congress and the FCC will just mess something up.

[AD7VH]

Like some of you, I am a little dubious about this bill. On the surface it looks good. However, it is a little vague for my liking. If they explain in more than generalized terms, and what it means, I may support it. Until then, there is no way that I will. This is where I will get labeled as a Liberal because I want more plain language. So be it, but I am not going to support a bill that doesn't explain in plain language what it's objectives are!

I for one, don't want Homeland Security involved. This would open the door for them controlling certain aspects of amateur radio. Maybe, amateur radio needs better protection, but this is not the way to do it. They have inserted different ideas into the bill so that it would appeal to both the legislature and amateur radio operators. However, they think that we (HAMs) aren't smart enough to see that there are motives that are far from clear. The way I see it, the ARRL is just trying to get what they want by trying to give the government something for their troubles, bad move. I for one, will never support a bill that allows amateur radio to be that close to a government entity, and a potential to be controlled by it.

John, AD7VH, east central Nevada

[Wyandotte]

Originally Posted by newsphotog

I have a pretty darn good way to get around HOA rules. I'll let you in on the secret too.

Don't live in an HOA.

I know there are a few good HOA's but overall I hear nothing but complaints about them. Read the contracts. If you don't like it, you don't have to buy. When people stop signing the contracts, they will eventually go away. I don't see many benefits that outweigh the negatives in an HOA. So maybe they mow your lawn or shovel your sidewalk? Big whoop... find a neighborhood kid to do it for $10 a week. What's wrong with an old-fashioned neighborhood with houses that don't all look the same?

I couldn't agree more. It tickles me to know end to see a ham buy into an HOA, and then shed some tears about it. Hello? Did you not read the contract before you sign the papers?

There is another solution, however. Get active in the HOA. There rarely is more than a half dozen people active on the board. Run for Prez of the HOA, get 3 or 4 of your buddies in the 'hood to get on the board with ya, you'll find your side can be the majority in no time, and you just approve any modest variances that please you. Don't go and throw up a 90 footer. Approve yourself a variance for a short vertical on a 10' pole in the backyard, half visible from the street.

Isn't there something in Federal Law that says you can have a 3' across "dish" antenna, no matter what the HOA says? If that's true, and you mount an Isotron on the front of a round plastic saucer that kids use to sled down ski hills, and paint it "Dish Network" gray, then would that be legal?